Several years ago I made the decision to primarily fish flies that made me smile, that being Speys and a few Dees. I still will throw a muddler for summer fish but almost everything in my winter boxes is a Spey or a Dee. No shanks or lead eyes to be found. There are a few more classic Salmon styles here and there though.
The Speys are more in the Glasso style as I prefer the hackle wing for movement. More often than not it is a GP feather wing ala Kinney's Dragon's Tooth. Lately I have been on a Snow Fly kick, thanks Mike :chuckle:, and have been fishing a lot of herl wings.
God forbid I was ever forced to limit myself to two flies then it would be the following.
Hotep Spey
Butt: small oval gold or fine copper wire
Tail: small bunch red GP fibers
Body: 1/2 purple floss, 1/2 purple seal or substitute
Tinsel: medium flat silver counter-wrapped with small oval gold or copper wire
Hackle: one feather each purple Spey (I use Whiting Spey) and black Spey from second turn of tinsel
Collar: gadwall
Wings: red GP feathers tented
Volcano Spey
Same as Hotep except
Body: 1/2 yellow floss, 1/2 orange seal or substitute
Tail: none
Hackle: 1-2 Orange Whiting Spey feathers
Collar: Teal
If I'm feeling fancy, I will include eyes of JC to the Volcano.
If I could choose a third pattern, it would be a black one similar to the Carron. If a fourth was allowed, the Lady Caroline. if a fifth .... :devil: